Carlisle 0 Walsall 3 - match report

Will Grigg’s first professional hat-trick maintained Walsall’s charge for a play-off spot with a comfortable victory at Carlisle.

The Northern Ireland international slotted home a third-minute penalty, finished a neat move midway through
the second half and netted a cool third late on to see off the Cumbrians, who rarely threatened all night.

The treble took Grigg’s league tally to 13, but it also put the Saddlers within six points of sixth place in League One.

The
visitors couldn’t have wished for a better start. Just three minutes had passed when James Chambers, brilliantly fed by Febian Brandy, was tripped by keeper Mark Gillespie in the area and Grigg did the honours from 12 yards.

That lead could have been doubled when Brandy met Andy Taylor’s free-kick on ten minutes, but the former Manchester United striker’s header was blocked by Sean O’Hanlon.

Jamie Paterson then tried his luck after a break down the right as Walsall threatened on almost every attack.

The
next, midway through the first half, saw Brandy release Craig Westcarr who crossed for Grigg, but he was inches away from converting at the far
post.

Dean Smith’s side were quickest out of the traps again in the second half, Westcarr drove forward and drew an excellent save from Gillespie before Paterson dragged a shot wide moments later.

The
counter attack was paying dividends for Walsall but Grigg, teed up by Paterson, curled another opportunity wide on the hour mark.

They
were almost made to pay for their wastefulness when Carlisle’s Lee Miller headed downwards before Aaron McCarey palmed it away to safety.

But the game was safe when Brandy set Grigg free and the striker stroked it past Gillespie on 66 minutes.

And
the icing on the cake came with four minutes remaining, Brandy again was the architect but Grigg swept home from close range.

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Walsall's biggest crowd of the season roared the Super Saddlers on to yet another win which keeps them in with a chance of making the League One promotion play-offs, and red hot striker Will Grigg bagged two more goals.